Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek
Mountain Hawk Trek
Everest RegionModerate

Gokyo Cho LaPass Trek

Cross Cho La Pass (5,420m) between the Gokyo Lakes and the Everest side of the Khumbu. Summit Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for sunrise over four 8,000m peaks. Walk across the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in the Himalayas. 19 days, from USD 1,875.

View Itinerary
19
DaysTotal trek duration
5545m
Max AltitudeHighest point reached
Sep–Jun
Best SeasonIdeal trekking window
$1,875
FromPer person (twin sharing)
Trip Highlights

The moments that matter most

The Gokyo Valley is the quieter side of the Khumbu. While the Everest Base Camp trail sees hundreds of trekkers per day in peak season, the Gokyo side has a fraction of the traffic. You walk along the Ngozumpa Glacier through sparse settlements: Machhermo, Gokyo, and a handful of teahouses scattered between glacial lakes. The silence and scale are different from anything on the EBC side.

Gokyo Ri (5,357m) is the highlight. The pre-dawn climb takes about 90 minutes from Gokyo village. From the summit you see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Kangchenjunga on a clear morning. Below, the five Gokyo Lakes glow turquoise against grey moraine and white glacial ice. Many trekkers consider this viewpoint superior to Kala Patthar because of the lakes.

The Cho La crossing adds an element of alpine adventure. The pass sits at 5,420m between two rock walls with a small glacier on the western approach. Your guide carries a rope as backup. The crossing takes 7 to 9 hours from Gokyo to Dzongla. Once over, you are on the standard Everest trail and can continue to Lobuche or exit via Namche.

Trip Overview

A closer look

The Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek is a 19-day route that crosses Cho La Pass (5,420m), connecting the quieter Gokyo Valley with the main Everest trail. Unlike the standard EBC route, this trek prioritizes the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the panoramic summit of Gokyo Ri (5,357m) over Everest Base Camp, then crosses Cho La to reach the Everest side of the Khumbu at Dzongla and Lobuche.

The route follows the Dudh Koshi from Lukla through Namche Bazaar and Tengboche before branching northwest toward the Gokyo Valley. You walk along the lateral moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in the Himalayas, passing five turquoise glacial lakes fed by Cho Oyu meltwater. From Gokyo Ri at dawn, four of the six highest mountains on Earth are visible: Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu.

The Cho La crossing is a full trekking day. The east side is a steep rocky climb to the pass at 5,420m. The west side drops onto a small glacier that requires microspikes in icy conditions. Fixed ropes are in place at the steepest section. The pass connects Gokyo to Dzongla, from where you can continue to Lobuche and trek out via the standard EBC trail.

Permits required: Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (NPR 3,000) and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (NPR 3,000), both included. TIMS cards no longer required.

For the full circuit including Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar after the Cho La crossing, see the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek Via EBC. For Gokyo Lakes without any pass crossing, the Gokyo Valley Trek reaches Gokyo Ri in 15 days via the direct route. To add all three Khumbu passes, the Everest Three Passes Trek covers Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La in 22 days.

Route & Elevation

The trail, mapped

Elevation ProfileDay-by-day altitude
TrailPeak
5,360m4,356m3,353m2,349m1,345mKathmanduPhakdingNamcheMochermoGokyoGokyo RiThannakDzonglaLobucheEBCPericheNamcheLuklaKathmandu5,360m
Gallery

Moments from the trail

Itinerary

Day by day, on the trail

19 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.

Day01

Arrival in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,317 m). Overnight at hotel.

1,317mHotel
Day02

Pre-trip Meeting & Kathmandu Sightseeing

Kathmandu

Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.

1,317mHotel
Day03

Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding

Phakding

Fly to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2,800 m) from Kathmandu, then trek to Phakding (2,610 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,610m3h trekGuesthouse1,293m
Day04

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,480m5h trekGuesthouse870m
Day05

Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,480mGuesthouse
Day06

Trek to Dole

Dole

Trek to Dole (4,130 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,130m5h trekGuesthouse650m
Day07

Trek to Machhermo

Machhermo

Trek to Machhermo (4,470 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,470m6h trekGuesthouse340m
Day08

Trek to Gokyo

Gokyo

Trek to Gokyo (4,770 m), approximately 4 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,770m4h trekGuesthouse300m
Day09

Gokyo Ri & Return to Gokyo

Gokyo

Early-morning hike to Gokyo Ri (5,360 m), then return to Gokyo, approximately 4 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,770m4h trekGuesthouse
Day10

Trek to Thangnak

Thangnak

Trek to Thangnak (4,700 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,700m3h trekGuesthouse70m
Day11

Cross Cho La Pass to Dzongla

Dzongla

Cross Cho La Pass (5,322 m) and descend to Dzongla (4,800 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,800m7h trekGuesthouse100m
Day12

Trek to Lobuche

Lobuche

Trek to Lobuche (4,930 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,930m3h trekGuesthouse130m
Day13

Trek to Everest Base Camp & Gorak Shep

Gorak Shep

Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,300 m) and return to Gorak Shep, approximately 8 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

5,180m8h trekGuesthouse250m
Day14

Kala Patthar & Trek to Pheriche

Pheriche

Early-morning hike to Kala Patthar (5,555 m), then trek down to Pheriche (4,200 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,200m7h trekGuesthouse980m
Day15

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,480m6h trekGuesthouse720m
Day16

Trek to Lukla

Lukla

Trek to Lukla (2,795 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,795m6h trekGuesthouse685m
Day17

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel1,450m
Day18

Leisure Day in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day19

Departure

Kathmandu

Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.

1,345mTransfer
Good to Know

Before you commit

Trek Cost

TierPrice
Per Person
USD 1,875
Package Details

What's in, what's out

What's Included

11

Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.

Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a two or three-star hotel in Kathmandu (4 nights), breakfast included.

Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car, van, or bus.

Standard meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) and teahouse accommodation during the trek.

A government-licensed English-speaking guide for the trek, the required number of porters (1 porter for every 2 trekkers), and their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and a general first aid kit.

Sagarmatha National Park Permit, TIMS card, and all other necessary permits.

Flight fare from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu, including airport departure taxes at Kathmandu and Lukla.

Surface transfer from Kathmandu.

Down jacket, duffel or kit bag, and sleeping bag (to be returned after the trek).

All applicable government taxes.

Tourist service charge and VAT.

Not Included

8

Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu.

Travel insurance (compulsory).

Nepal entry visa fee.

Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, laundry, and hot showers.

Personal trekking equipment.

Tips for trekking staff and driver.

Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.

Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.

Add-on

Extra Nights in Kathmandu

Single Room$60per night · breakfast included
Twin Sharing$35per person / night · breakfast included

Dear guest, should you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, we are pleased to offer the following rates: US$60 per person per night for a single room and US$35 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room, both inclusive of breakfast.

The Reward

Why you'll love it

Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.

Scenery

Gokyo Ri sunrise shows four of the six highest mountains on Earth in a single panorama. Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu, with the turquoise lakes below.

Thrill

The Gokyo side of the Khumbu is far quieter than the EBC trail. Fewer trekkers, more solitude, and a wilder mountain landscape.

Connection

Cho La Pass adds genuine alpine adventure to a teahouse trek. A glacier crossing, fixed ropes, and a 5,420m summit between two valleys.

Honest Check

Is this trek for you?

A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.

Expectations

Before you book

5

You want Everest region scenery but prefer quieter trails than the standard EBC route. The Gokyo side sees a fraction of the foot traffic.

You can walk 6 to 8 hours a day on uneven terrain including a glacier crossing at Cho La Pass. Prior trekking experience above 4,000m is recommended.

The highest sleep altitude is Gokyo village at 4,790m. Two acclimatization days are built in to manage altitude sickness risk.

Microspikes or light crampons are needed for the Cho La glacier on icy mornings. No roped climbing or technical mountaineering skills required.

You are comfortable with basic teahouse accommodation. Facilities on the Gokyo side are simpler than the main EBC trail.

Gear Up

What to pack

The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.

Equipment

Packing checklist

26 items

Duffel bag ( Company provide complementary)

Daypack

Down Jacket and Sleeping bag 4 season ( if you need nice and clean down jacket and sleeping bag company provide which needs to be returned after the trek)

Hiking pants

Waterproof jacket

Full, sleeves shirt

Jumper or pile jacket

T, shirts

Trekking boots (Water proof)

Camp shoes/Sandal

wool socks

Light cotton socks for under wool socks( take quite several pairs of these too. Better to carry some extra weight rather than spend the whole time washing socks)

Sun hat

Beanie

Gloves

Sun block for lips

Sun lotion

Goggles or sunglasses ( with spare )

Thermal Long underwear (take quite a few pairs. Although the weather may be cold one tends to sweat a lot)

windproof pants

Water bottle

Sewing kit

Medical & first aid kit

Flash light ( with spare batteries)

Personal towel

Personal toiletries and medication which should be labelled Please.

Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially on women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer then please pack something to wear over the top of them.

Good to Know

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.

FAQs

The most asked

8
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